“Put that pistol down,” rang out in tones of suppressed passion.
The door stood open, and a tall girl in black swept in.
Her dark eyes, flashing from a face of unusual pallor, dwelt a moment on the three figures, the one huddled on the floor, the others facing each other.
“What does this mean, Captain Pardoe?” she asked haughtily, “and who is this stranger?”
Frank raised his hat. “For my part in this disturbance I heartily apologise, but I must say, and these gentlemen will bear me out, that my intrusion was not of my seeking.”
She inclined her head slightly, then turned to the second man, who had risen, looking uncomfortable at having been found in a humiliating position.
“Since Captain Pardoe cannot speak, perhaps you will have the goodness to explain, Mr Commins.”
“It is this way, Miss Laura!” blurted the Captain; “this young fellow knows too much.”
“Excuse me,” said Frank, “I know nothing except that I helped to row you here, and you wished to detain me.”
“Allow me to explain,” said Mr Commins, interposing with a wave of his hand. “The tide was against us, and I was unequal to the work. This young man kindly offered his help, and we accepted, but thinking it would be inadvisable to let him return, we felt it best to detain him, and if he had not been in such a hurry to put us down as thieves or cut-throats, and to act with unnecessary violence on that supposition, matters could have been amicably settled.”